october2016

In 1884, the fate of an entire continent thousands of miles away was determined in smoke-filled parlor room and Berlin mansions. From then on, European colonialism was forced upon the African continent, territories with an amalgamation of hundreds ethnic groups, cultures, and languages.

As more outlets open to express the growing international struggle of refugees, the world will gain a larger platform to talk about the issue and strategize how to return these individuals to their homes. Art has given a voice to these individuals and shown the world that while circumstances are bad, hope is not lost.

Amid growing hostility toward Muslims throughout the Europe, the Bulgarian parliament passed legislation on September 30 banning face veils from most public locations, including schools and administrative offices.

Water surged to the roof lines of houses in Princeville, North Carolina last Thursday as Hurricane Matthew continued its campaign of widespread destruction and collateral damage. The United States was the last stop on the trail of the three-week long Category-Four hurricane.

Syria’s most recent ceasefire continues to flounder as heavy airstrikes continue. The ceasefire, brokered jointly by the United States and Russia on September 12, lasted a week before an aid convoy was struck west of Aleppo.

President Barack Obama has less than 100 days left in office, and an entire generation is speculating what his legacy will be. Although he is known as the first African-American president, his impact on the nation goes much further than his habit of “dropping the mic,” both literally and metaphorically, on a nation wrought with change.

The right to represent religion in art is protected today by freedom of expression. The importance of protecting this right continues to be relevant today as statements about religious freedom are implemented in different forms of art. Unfortunately, in some parts of the world, this human right has been violated.